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Aubrey Johnson

Aubrey Johnson is a New York-based jazz vocalist, composer, and educator. Her debut record, Unraveled, featuring her original music and arrangements and produced by Steve Rodby (Pat Metheny Group), was released on Outside In Music in 2020. Play Favorites, her duo album with the pianist Randy Ingram was released on Sunnyside Records in 2022. A third studio album, The Lively Air, featuring Aubrey’s compositions and arrangements was will be released in March 2026 on Greenleaf Records. Among the 50+ albums Aubrey has appeared on as a sideperson are Bobby McFerrin’s Grammy-nominated release, VOCAbuLaries, Arturo O'Farrill's Grammy Award-winning album Four Questions, and Lyle Mays’ Grammy Award-winning Eberhard (on which she also served as executive producer.)

Aubrey has received composition and touring grants from Chamber Music America and South Arts, respectively, and was awarded fellowships in music composition by UCross and MacDowell. Also an established arranger, her vocal jazz ensemble arrangements have been published by Anchor Music. In April 2025, she released a collaborative album on Sunnyside Records with Dave Douglas, Helen Sung, and writer David Hajdu—The Lives Of Saints (Sunnyside Records) to which she contributed as both a composer and vocalist. She has also collaborated as a composer and as a vocalist with Janis Siegel (Manhattan Transfer)—she appeared on Janis’ most recent album The Colors Of My Life, and a song that the two co-wrote will be featured on Janis’ forthcoming studio album.

Aubrey holds faculty positions at The New School, Montclair State University, and Queens College, and previously held positions at New England Conservatory (her alma mater) and Berklee College of Music.

Awards

Appearances on Bobby McFerrin's Grammy-nominated VOCAbuLaires, Arturo O'Farrill's Grammy Award-winning Four Questions, and Lyle Mays' Grammy Award-winning "Eberhard"

American Vocal Traditions Quarterfinalist 2025, "Outstanding Performance - Jazz Vocalist" 2010, Gunther Schuller Award, New England Conservatory 2009, DownBeat Student Music Awards "Best Jazz Vocalist" 2008, DownBeat Student Music Awards "Outstanding Performance - Jazz Vocalist" 2007 DownBeat Student Music Awards

Peter Sprague: Guinnevere

Read "Guinnevere" reviewed by Jim Trageser

by Jim Trageser
September 15, 2026

Peter Sprague, the San Diego-based guitarist who has gigged with everyone from Chick Corea to Hubert Laws, Charles McPherson to Dianne Reeves, seems to be accelerating his recording output of late. He is averaging more than two albums a year as leader the past half-decade, plus guest appearances on numerous others. And all of this is on top of his work running his own studio and small record label, SBE ("Striving to Break Even") plus a busy performance schedule.

Album Review

Aubrey Johnson: The Lively Air

Read "The Lively Air" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
August 17, 2026

Dopo il notevole debutto di Unraveled (Outside in Music, 2020), penalizzato nella diffusione dalla tempesta pandemica, Aubrey Johnson ritorna alla testa di un proprio ensemble, in cui va oltre il ruolo di cantante accompagnata ma è parte integrante delle dinamiche strumentali, nonché autrice di metà del repertorio. Dal passato organico ritroviamo solo il violinista Tomoko Omura che è anche autrice e arrangiatrice di un brano. Aubrey Johnson è un soprano di eccelse doti tecniche ed espressive, le cui ...

Radio & Podcasts

Aubrey Johnson, Chris Potter, Don Ellis, and Others

by Jerome Wilson
July 8, 2026

This episode features recent music by Aubrey Johnson and Chris Potter alongside more off-the-beaten-path fare by Don Ellis and Mulatu Astatke.Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 Mavis Pan “Black Sky" from Rising (Self-Produced) 1:02 Jenny Menna “Beautiful Love" from The River is Moving (Self-Produced) 7:13 Host Speaks 12:50 Simon Willson “Long Distances" from Feel Love (Endectomorph Music) 14:12 Alchemy ...

Radio & Podcasts

Aubrey Johnson, Joe Henderson, Bévort 3, Noé Huchard, Björn Meyer

by Ludovico Granvassu
April 7, 2026

Here is another edition of Mondo Jazz, celebrating today's creative music and musicians, and musicians celebrating the musicians that inspired them, from Joe Henderson to Lyle Mays. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Bévort 3 “Speak Up" A Cup of Joe (Self-produced) 0:16 Host talks 5:41 Joe Henderson “Relaxin' at Camarillo" Consonance (Resonance) 7:20 Host talks 14:43 Noé Huchard “Too Many Options" Young and Fine (Gaya) 16:21 ...

Album Review

Aubrey Johnson, Helen Sung, Dave Douglas, David Hajdu: Lives of the Saints: Portraits in Song with Words by David Hajdu

Read "Lives of the Saints: Portraits in Song with Words by David Hajdu" reviewed by Vic Albani

by Vic Albani
January 27, 2026

Chi diavolo è David Hajdu? Ce lo insegna il web: David Hajdu (nato nel 1955 a Phillipsburg, New Jersey con origini ungheresi e italiane) è un editorialista laureato alla New York University, autore e professore statunitense alla Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. È stato critico musicale del New Republic per 12 anni ed è redattore musicale di The Nation. Ha dapprima lavorato come illustratore e poi ha cominciato a scrivere per testate di un certo livello quali il Village ...

Album Review

Hyeseon Hong Jazz Orchestra: Things Will Pass

Read "Things Will Pass" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
October 29, 2024

There are a handful of things you should know about Hyeseon Hong (pronounced hay-sun hong), as each of them impacts the scope and purpose of the music on Things Will Pass. First, she is well-versed in the shaping and subtleties of contemporary big-band jazz; second, she was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea; third, she formed her own big band after relocating from Korea to New York City more than a decade ago; fourth, and perhaps most important, she ...

Album Review

The Jamie Baum Septet+: What Times Are These

Read "What Times Are These" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
September 9, 2024

Nella sua nuova incisione Jamie Baum coniuga impegno civile e ricercata varietà di soluzioni musicali con voci e suoni di particolare freschezza. A distanza di sei anni dal precedente Bridges la flautista e compositrice firma l'album più riuscito del suo ensemble, in gran parte rinnovato con l'ingresso del trombettista Jonathan Finlayson, del pianista Luis Perdomo, del bassista Ricky Rodriguez e del percussionista Keita Ogawa accanto ai fidi Jeff Hirshfield alla batteria, Brad Shepik alla chitarra, Chris Komer al ...

Career

Renowned Vocalist And Composer Aubrey Johnson Joins Faculty At NEC

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications
October 27, 2012

NEC Grad Johnson To Direct NEC’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble Group to be Featured in Concert on December 12 as part of In the Mix Concert Series New England Conservatory’s Jazz Studies Department has hired vocalist/composer Aubrey Johnson to join the faculty. Johnson, who has deep ties to NEC, will direct the school’s 6-voice vocal jazz ensemble. A versatile vocalist, arranger, and composer, Johnson is in demand as both a leader and side person. She can be heard with legendary drummer ...
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Radio

B.J. Jansen Interviewed Aubrey Johnson on the Jazz Life

Source: JM Creative
August 11, 2009

B.J. Jansen Interviewed Aubrey Johnson, Creator of the Jazz Half This interview is Part 13 of Jansen's Jazz Industry Talks, exploring the future of the Jazz Industry behind the music. The Jazz Half is found here. Jansen created his show, “The Jazz Life," to bring audiences to the next generation of jazz artists who struggle to receive airplay in the United States. The programming format of “The Jazz ...
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176

Performance / Tour

Greg Loughman Trio Featuring Aubrey Johnson at Ryles (Boston) on August 4th

Source: Michael Ricci
July 27, 2009

As part of its ongoing Artist Showcase series, Ryles welcomes back the Greg Loughman Trio with special guest, 2008 Downbeat Student Music Awards' “Best Jazz Vocalist" Aubrey Johnson, Tuesday August 4, 8:30pm ($7 cover). Bassist Greg Loughman once again steps into the bandleader role for another appearance at Ryles. A year ago almost to the day, Loughman held a CD release party at Ryles of his current CD, Sinistral, which features original compositions and original settings of traditional standard jazz ...
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Primary Instrument

Vocals

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Montclair State University - jazz department Queens College - jazz department Berklee College of Music - voice department New England Conservatory - vocal jazz ensemble director